Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
For Registration as an Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, the requirements are as follows and can be found in Section 464.0123, F.S.
- You must hold a Clear, Active, Florida APRN License.
- You must have completed at least 3000 clinical hours under the supervision of an allopathic or osteopathic physician within the past 5 years. These hours may include clinical instructional hours. See 464.123(1)(c), F.S. for complete requirements.
- You must submit proof of three graduate-level semester hours (or the equivalent) in differential diagnosis, and three graduate-level semester hours (or the equivalent) in pharmacology completed within the last five years. Please click here for a description of equivalent courses.
- You must not have been subject to disciplinary action as specified in s. 456.072, F.S. or s. 464.018, F.S., or any similar disciplinary action in any state or jurisdiction within the past five years.Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
Applications are valid for 1 year. After that time, the application will be expired if not approved. Once an application is expired a new paper application may be submitted. PDF versions of applications can be found at https://floridasnursing.gov/resources/.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
APRNs include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, and all play a pivotal role in the future of health care. APRNs are often primary care providers and are at the forefront of providing preventive care services to the public.Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
APRNs treat and diagnose illnesses, advise the public on health issues, manage chronic disease, and engage in continuous education to remain ahead of any technological, methodological, or other developments in the field. APRNs hold at least a Master’s degree, in addition to the initial nursing education and licensing required for all Registered Nurses (RNs).Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
APRNs Practice Specialty Roles
- Nurse Practitioners provide primary, acute, and specialty health care across the lifespan through assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses and injuries.
- Certified Nurse-Midwives provide primary, gynecological, and reproductive health care.
- Clinical Nurse Specialists provide diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of patients; provide expertise and support to nurses caring for patients; help drive practice changes throughout the organization; and ensure use of best practices and evidence-based care to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists provide a full range of anesthesia and pain management services.Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
Health care reform and its impact on APRNs
For decades, ANA has been advocating for health care reforms that would guarantee access to high-quality health care for all. With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of people have greater protection against losing or being denied health insurance coverage, as well as better access to primary and preventive services. ANA recognizes the debate of health care is ongoing, and the organization remains committed to educating the nursing public about how the changing system impacts our lives and our profession.Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) believes that every person has the right to the highest quality of healthcare. For decades, ANA has utilized the experience and expertise of its members to fight for meaningful health care reform.
Advocating in reaction to political policy
At the highest levels, ANA advocates for policymakers to recognize the true value of nursing, and the unique perspective that nurses have to offer. The voices of nurses are instrumental in advancing public health. The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, often referred to as the ACA) in 2010 created essential health benefits, increasing protection for millions of people against losing or being denied insurance. Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
Florida is a full practice state where NPs are not restricted from specific elements of practice and supervision with a physician if they plan to set up an independent practice. However, the state laws and regulations emphasize that a registered NP can only start independent practice in general pediatrics, family medicine, primary care, and internal medicine (Toney-Butler & Martin, 2020).Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. In the state of Florida, the requirements that a Nurse Practitioner (NP) must investigate before starting independent practice based on the NP state laws and regulations are as follows:
The first requirement is filling a financial responsibility and application form DH-MQA 5050. The NP must have an unencumbered and active license, must not be previously subjected to any state disciplinary action in the past five years before registration, must have practiced for a minimum of 3000 clinical practice hours in the past five years before registration with the supervision of a physician, and completed three graduate-level semester hours in pharmacology (Florida Board of Nursing, n.d). The state further requires that NPs must complete three semester hours in pharmacology and differential diagnosis at the graduate level within five years that precede an application request.Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
To secure malpractice insurance, the laws require that a NP who wants to start independent practice must maintain and obtain coverage for malpractice liability equivalent to a minimum of 300k aggregate or 100k per claim. Since NPs are credentialed as independent billing providers, to submit the billing for services, NPs must be rendering services under a physician’s general supervision. Besides, there are no required modifiers for billing but there is a decrease in the NP reimbursements made under Medicaid and Medicare to 80% and 85% respectively (Toney-Butler & Martin, 2020). The laws further recommend that NPs can consult with business attorneys who have ideally specialized in medical practice to obtain assistance in correctly setting up the initial business structure.Autonomous Practice by An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
